Health chiefs are appealing for people to only use Salford Royal’s A&E for serious or life threatening conditions to help ease pressure on the department this winter.
Each month, more than 500 people attend the Trust’s Emergency Department when they could have been effectively treated by another healthcare professional such as a GP or dentist.
Winter is the busiest time for the NHS as illnesses like flu, coupled with the cold, wet weather, means demand on the services reaches peak levels.
Dr Chris Brookes, Salford Royal’s Medical Director and an A&E consultant, said: “Like most Trusts, we tend to experience an increased demand for our services at this time of the year so we need the public’s support to ensure our clinicians are free to give priority to those patients who really need our urgent attention.
“We have a triage system in place in the department to deflect those people who don’t really need to be treated as an emergency and we will always signpost them to a service that is more appropriate for their needs.”
Most pharmacies across Salford can provide treatment and advice for lots of health conditions which can be treated at home, saving you a GP appointment.
Dr Hamish Stedman, Salford GP and chairman of NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “There are a number of places you can go for medical help without turning up at A&E. You can ring NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is free to ring and you will speak to a trained health advisor who will tell you the best place to get medical treatment and reassurance on what you need to do next.
“Self care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats and upset stomachs. Your local pharmacy can give you advice on a range of over-the-counter medicines that can treat everyday winter illnesses and minor injuries – they are your high-street experts. For illnesses and injuries that won’t go away, call your GP.
“Please remember to keep A&E and 999 free for people with life-threatening and serious emergencies such as heart-attacks, strokes, serious head injuries and breathing problems.
